Stephen Fry said he would be willing to go to jail to help a man convicted of making a threatening message on Twitter. (Getty Images)

(Newser)
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British comedian Stephen Fry is willing to go to jail—"if that's what it takes"—to overturn the conviction of a man who joked on Twitter about blowing up an airport. "This [verdict] must not be allowed to stand in law," Fry said. Several celebrities appeared at a fundraiser for Paul Chambers, the tweeter in question, to help his with expenses related to his court case. The offending Tweet: "Crap! Robin Hood Airport is closed. You've got a week... otherwise I'm blowing the airport sky high!"

Various speakers at the fundraiser criticized Chambers for making the foolish comment, but also said that the law under which he was prosecuted is sorely out of date. "We should be able to have banter," said Chambers' lawyer. "We should be able to speak freely without the threat of legal coercion."

ever get drunk an post a comment ? or email anyone ? , at the moment it seemed like a good idea , in retrospect maybe not

HMunster

Apr 19, 2011 10:24 AM CDT

One idiot standing up for another. They could share a cell...

HMunster

Apr 19, 2011 10:21 AM CDT

I was responding to his lawyer who said: "We should be able to speak freely without the threat of legal coercion." My point is that some things we say DO or CAN have legal repercussions and I gave an example. I can remember even before 9/11 there were signs posted all around the security areas that anyone making a comment, even in jest about hijacking would be prosecuted. In this day of international terrorism, his client tweeting that he would blow up that airport as a joke and now the joke is on him.